Tens of thousands of people offered Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque after authorities decided not to impose curfew in Srinagar city. A police spokesman said the decision follows the overall improvement in the law and order situation in the Kashmir Valley.
Earlier an apex body of Muslim clerics had threatened to issue a Fatwa (Edict) against government for barring Muslims from offering Friday congregational prayers at Grand Mosque and numerous other major mosques, shrines and Imambargahs of Kashmir.
At Grand mosque prayers were led by Syed Ahmad Naqshbandi also called as Imam Hai. Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Kashmir valley's chief priest, who delivers weekly sermons at the 16th century sprawling mosque was placed under house arrest.
Imam Hai prayed for freedom of Kashmir and denounced government for placing curbs on Mirwaiz.
Mirwaiz is also chairman of the multi-party Hurriyat Conference.
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